LOCAL RULES
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Last Updated 18th February 2009
These Local Rules take precedence over those on the current score cards and should be read in conjunction with any Temporary Local Rules currently in force.
Hole numbers relate to the 18-hole course unless otherwise stated.
1 Out Of Bounds [Rule 27]
A ball is out of bounds if it comes to rest in, on or beyond:
a) fences alongside the railway, roads and car parks;
b) white stakes and white-painted trees to the left of the 3rd fairway;
c) white stakes to the left of the 6th fairway when playing the 6th hole;
d) the River Ash, or comes to rest in that part of the relief channel which lies in front of the 12th tee;
e) the driving range, the paved area and pathways in front of the clubhouse, the clubhouse and associated buildings.
2 Water Hazards [Rule 26]
Stakes define the type of water hazard but not the margins. The margins of water hazards are defined by plates set in the ground or, if not present, by the change in the length of the grass bordering the hazard to a height exceeding approximately three inches (7.5 cm).
2.1 The drainage ditch that runs from the lake to the River Ash relief channel crossing holes 8, 9 and 15 is, by definition, a water hazard and Rule 26 applies.
2.2 The River Ash relief channel is deemed to be a lateral water hazard when playing the 9th or 15th hole.
2.3 When playing the 14th hole, if there is doubt whether a ball played towards the putting green, between the bridge to the left over the River Ash relief channel and the small trees by the relief channel to the right, is in or is lost in the hazard, the player may play another ball provisionally under any of the applicable options in Rule 26-1.
If the original ball is found outside the hazard, the player must continue play with it. If the original ball is found in the hazard, the player may either play the original ball as it lies or continue with the ball played provisionally under Rule 26‑1. If the original ball is not found or identified within the five-minute search period, the player must continue with the ball played provisionally.
3 Preservation of the Course and Ground Under Repair
3.1 If a young tree, identified by being supported or protected by a stake or other device such as a tube or rabbit cage, interferes with a player�s stance or the area of his intended swing, the ball MUST be lifted, without penalty, and dropped in accordance with the procedure prescribed in Rule 24-2b (immovable obstructions).
3.2 A player may take relief without penalty from Ground Under Repair marked by white lines.
3.3 Play is prohibited from any area marked by blue lines or where otherwise indicated by a notice. Relief without penalty MUST be taken in accordance with Rule 25-1.
4 Obstructions [Rule 24]
4.1 The following are deemed immovable obstructions from which relief without penalty may be taken in accordance with Rule 24-2:
a) All man-made paths except the path from the clubhouse to the 1st tee which is deemed an integral part of the course;
b) The white stakes marking out of bounds when playing the 6th hole are immovable obstructions when playing the 5th hole;
c) All water hazard stakes and all parts of the watering system whether movable or fixed.
4.2 When taking relief under Rule 24-2 from the protective mesh screen alongside the 12th tee, the player must determine his nearest point of relief without crossing through the screen.
4.3 In addition, if a ball lies off the putting green but not in a hazard and an immovable obstruction on or within two club-lengths of the putting green and within two club-lengths of the ball intervenes on the line of play between the ball and the hole, the player may take relief as follows:
The ball must be lifted and dropped at the nearest point to where the ball lay that (a) is not nearer the hole, (b) avoids intervention and (c) is not in a hazard or on a putting green. The ball may be cleaned when lifted.
Relief under this Local Rule is also available if the player�s ball lies on the putting green and an immovable obstruction within two club-lengths of the putting green intervenes on his line of putt. The player may take relief as follows:
The ball must be lifted and placed at the nearest point to where the ball lay that (a) is not nearer the hole, (b) avoids intervention and (c) is not in a hazard. The ball may be cleaned when lifted.
4.4 Stones in bunkers are deemed movable obstructions.
5 Practice Putting Green [Rule 25-3]
A ball coming to rest on the practice putting green is on a wrong putting green and relief must be taken in accordance with Rule 25-3.
6 Distance Measuring Devices [Rule 14-3]
Unless the Conditions of the Competition state otherwise, a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g. gradient, wind-speed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used.
7 Practice Areas [Rule 7-1]
The 18-hole and 9-hole courses are deemed to be a part of each other. Unless the Conditions of the Competition state otherwise, a competitor may not practice on either course prior to a stroke play competition. The penalty for so doing is disqualification.
Practice on the course is permitted however, on and immediately adjacent to the practice putting green and between the path to the 1st tee of the 9-hole course and the driving range.
Penalty for breach of a Local Rule:
Match play - loss of hole: Stroke play - two strokes
Rules Secretary, 18th February 2009
These Temporary Local Rules should be read in conjunction with the Local Rules dated 18th February 2009. They come into force on the date of issue and will remain in force until such time as a revision is posted on the Club�s notice board.
Hole numbers relate to the 18-hole course unless otherwise stated.
Preferred Lies
A ball lying on a closely-mown area through the green may be lifted without penalty and cleaned. Before lifting the ball, the player must mark its position. Having lifted the ball he must place it on a spot within 6 inches of and not nearer the hole than where it originally lay, that is not in a hazard and not on a putting green. A player may place his ball only once, and it is in play when it has been placed (Rule 20-4). If the ball fails to come to rest on the spot on which it was placed and subsequently moves, there is no penalty and the ball must be played as it lies, unless provision of any other Rule applies. If the player fails to mark the position of the ball before lifting it or moves the ball in any other manner, such as rolling it with a club, he incurs a penalty of one stroke.
Embedded Ball Through the Green
Rule 25-2 provides relief, without penalty, for a ball embedded in its own pitch-mark in any closely-mown area through the green. On the putting green, a ball may be lifted and damage caused by the impact of a ball may be repaired (Rules 16-1b and c). The following Temporary Local Rule extends Rule 25-2 to provide relief for an embedded ball anywhere through the green.
A ball that is embedded in its own pitch-mark in the ground may be lifted, without penalty, cleaned and dropped as near as possible to where it lay but not nearer the hole. The ball when dropped must first strike a part of the course through the green.
Exceptions:
1. A player may not take relief under this Temporary Local Rule if the ball is embedded in sand in an area that is not closely mown.
2. A player may not take relief under this Temporary Local Rule if it is clearly unreasonable for him to make a stroke because of interference by anything other than the condition covered by this Rule.
Damage to Putting Greens
Damage to a putting green which has been caused by a divot being taken with a club is deemed Ground Under Repair. If a player's ball lies on the putting green and a divot hole intervenes on his line of putt he may take relief without penalty in accordance with Rule 25-1b(iii).
(Such a condition should be reported to the Greenkeeping Staff at the earliest opportunity).
Aeration Holes [App. 1-3c]
When the course has been aerated, the following Local Rule applies -
Through the green, a ball which comes to rest in or on an aeration hole may be lifted without penalty, cleaned and dropped, as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole. The ball when dropped shall first strike a part of the course through the green. On the putting green, the player shall place the ball at the nearest spot not nearer the hole which avoids the situation.
Penalty for breach of a Temporary Local Rule:
Match play - loss of hole; stroke play - two strokes
Rules Secretary, 13th March 2009
